After exhibiting optimistic development in his rehab from offseason elbow surgical procedure, Cubs reliever Brandon Morrow skilled a setback this week, making his timeline to return unclear.
Morrow, who missed the second half of final season with bicep irritation, advised the Cubs he felt discomfort after throwing in a aspect session earlier this week. As a end result, supervisor Joe Maddon mentioned Saturday the group is briefly shutting him down.
“The bounce back after the last time out wasn’t as good,” Maddon mentioned. “So we have to back off him once again. And just slow things down, it’s just where he’s at. It’s not unlike what’s been going on earlier, so it was all trending very well and this last time, just not as good.”
Morrow, who’s signed by way of 2019 with a membership choice in 2020, underwent elbow surgical procedure in November and has been recovering in Arizona since.
Morrow has had a problem staying wholesome all through his major-league profession. He has been on the disabled checklist at the least as soon as in eight of the final 9 seasons for varied accidents together with forearm tightness, strained indirect, entrapped radial nerve, shoulder irritation, finger harm, bicep irritation and again tightness.
Morrow’s unknown timeline is dangerous information for the Cubs, who’re counting on Morrow to be their nearer.
The Cubs’ bullpen acquired off to a tough begin this season, permitting 31 runs by way of 29⅓ innings within the first eight video games.
After struggling early on, the relievers have put collectively higher outings. Entering Saturday, that they had a 1.16 ERA within the final 10 video games.
The bullpen has been anchored by right-handers Steve Cishek, Pedro Strop and Brandon Kintzler. Cishek has pitched 5 consecutive scoreless outings, and Pedro Strop has allowed three hits and two runs over 5⅔ innings this season. Meanwhile, Kintzler has solely allowed one hit in his final 4 appearances.